The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-14
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
JEpHTHAH.

tluiC dSO III tut hhSS-lD II lldllDtE IllUWd1
between the Messiah" and Israel in
Egypt" and the higher and less severe style
of Handel's cantatas, Acis and Galatea, or
Alexander's Feast. The music is peculiarly
dramatic and so distinct are the qualities Of
their individual expression that Macfarren
saw in Jephthah the beginning of the much
discussed LeJ-motJ, the characteristic
phrase which accompanies the entrance of
personages of the Wagnerian drama.
The oratorio is in three parts. In the
first, the Israelites, who, for their idolatry,
have been oppressed by the Ammonites for
eighteen years, become repentaDt and invite
Jephthah to be their captain in the war with
their enemies. He accepts and vows that, if
a conqueror he will dedicate whatsoever of
his house comes forth to meet him, to the
Lord. During his absence his wife fears
evil and her daughter tries to dispel her
fears. Jephthah failing to secure treaty,
arouses Isreal to battle. In part second
Iphis, hearing Of her fathers success, goes
forth to meet him, accompanied by train of
virgins, with music and dancing. Jephthah,
remembering his VOW, is Mortified. His
daughter resigns herself and Jephthah pro-
ceeds to carry out the VOW, and the scene
closes with chorus expressive, OF the mys-
terry of Gods providence. In the third part
the sacrifice proceeds when an angel ap-
pears and forbids il, demanding that Iphis
shall be dedicated to celibacy and Gods
service. She and Hamor, her betrothed,
submit gladly to the will of the Lord, and
parents and friends rejoice, at the happy ter
mination of all their troubles. Not only is
the music dramatic, but it is delightfully."-
lyrical as well. Some of the numbers are as
melodious as any known TO the tragic or
lyric stage. Among those that call for spec
ial comment are. the powerful chorus mo
strong contrast of the second movement
the hideous dances of the worshippers
around the blue flames of the furnace of
Moloch; the serious ali of Jephthah, "Vir-
charming song for contralte. I'm gentle
murmurs," so thoroughly in Handels
elegiac vein; the beautiful soprano air,
take the heart you fondly CAVES" the
great fugue, 80 God, hehold our sore dis
tress," written in the largest oratorio style;
the impressive dramatic contralto air,
"Scenes of horror" the dance form after
the style OF Bouree, so naive in character,
''The smiling dawn Of happy days.. the
grand chorus, "When his loud voice." the
charming chorus, one Of the finest features
of the work, "Cherub and seraphim," which
opens with the soprani divided, followed by
full chorus and with arpeggio accompani-
ment, the whole displaying the height of
cCNOAA0
ment, the allegro, superbly contrasted with
the fugue themes the beautiful bravura
air, "Tune the soft melodious Lutte" written
for soprano and exhibiting perfectly the
the times; Jephthah's grand air, His mighty
arms" the effective chorus, In glory
high" Iphis's air, "Welcome as the cheer
full light" with its semi-chorus; the solemn,
majestic air of Jephthah, open thy marble
jaws !" Hamor's beautiful air, "On me let
blind mistaken ZEAL" the sad but impress
sive air Of Jephthah's, Deeper and deeper
STILL" followed by the commenting chorus,
"How dark" the brilliant and exacting
chorus. "Waft her angels" both as regards
execution and expression; the lovely lament
of Iphis, Farewell We limpid springs" the
beautiful fugae for chorus. Theme sub
lime;" the quintette, ''All that is in
Hamor;" and the intricate chorus, 1.-THE
The chorus last night under the baton of
Mr.. Kotzschmar numbered lbs singers, with
out including the principals. There would
have been even more but for illness and
The soloists were Mr.. A. e. Pennell as
Jephthah; Mr.. J. b. Coyle. Jr.,. as Zebul,
Jephthah's half brother; Mrs. Jennie King
Morrison in the male part OF Hamor, be-
trothed to lphis; Mrs. L. A. Goudy as
Storge, Jephthah's wife Mrs. ii. M, Young as
Iphis; and Mrs. o. III. Fellows, who kindly
took the small part of the angel. The audi
ence was very large and enthusiastic, filling
Mechanics Hall, and, had it not been
for the extreme length of the oratorio
which was given in its entirety-some of
the numbers would have been redemanded.
We may say here that never have the
Haydns appeared to better advantage. We
might re-enumerate the choruses we have
mentioned and particularize instances in
which the society showed at its best. The
principals were all admirable and fully en-
tered into the spirit of the work. Mr.. A. E.
PennelPs voice, which is heard here all too
rarely, was heard to great advantage. Mr..
Coyles broad method and splendid dramatic
style, SO often commented on was brought
into full play last evening Mrs. Goudy's
Storge was grand representation OF the
Israelitish captains wife, and her air, In
Mrs. Morrison's rich, flute-like notes were
heard to especial advantage in up the
dreadful Steep" Mrs. Young sang the beau
tiful and, at the same time, intricate music
of Iphis with taste and beauty OF expression,
and Mrs. Fellows bestowed ample justice on
the part of the angel. Mr.. Harvey Murray
fulfilled the arduous duties OF pianist TO
great acceptance, and Mr.. Kotzschmar is to
be congratulated on theigreat success OF the
oratorio.
THE GERMAN VOLUNTEER.
The Sons Of Veterans drama will be
most interesting dramatic event. The man
agement are sparing no efforts to have it
a grand success. Many new and special fea-
tulCc udfC OCCu iutlOuuCCu tAbO shC PACSc.
The singing, dancing and banjo solos in the
plantation scene are new feature Sapnar,
in his new character songs, is sure to please.
The tableaux will surpass any yet produced
in City hall. Be sure and help the Sons of
Veterans and at the same time secure
pleasant evenings entertainment.
PARK GARDEN.
Among the artists who scored a success at
this theatre are Ed. LeBarre, the contor-
zionist. who is well known in connection
with the famous LeBarre Brothers; S. M.
Madigan, the wonderful trick yiolinist;
James DAILY. the phenomenal bass soloist;
Billy Bryant, in his eccentricities; and last
but not least, Prof. j. III. Burton. and his
wonderful troupe of educated dogs, who
need no introduction to Portland audiences
Don't forget this afternoons matinee.
RANCH 10.
Tonight j. Clinton Hall and j. Horace
Miller, with their company of comedians
will present "Ranch 10" at Portland Thea
tire. The Richmond Dispatch says: "'Ranch
10 was played to large house at the theatre
last night, and was loudly applauded. The
piece is laid in the wild West and some of
the scenery-especially the burning OF the
corral and the snow-storm in the Rockies
was very fine. The drama can be termed
not only lively, exciting and laughable, but
entlTely un0pJectlOnaDle IO.tne most pruu-
fish,"
MRS. sc0TT-sIDDoNs.
This beautiful and talented reader will
appear in the Stockbridge Course at City
Hall tonight. An exchange says ut would
be difficult to speak honestly of Mrs. Scott
Siddons's performance without drawing
largely on the superlatives. Her appearance
is regal, her face quite as beautiful and in
fnitely more expressive than nine out of ten
professional beauties, and her voice is de-
lightfully resonant" Tickets can be pro-
cured at Stockbridge's. Mrs Siddons will
be assisted by the Ladies' Eolian Quartette.
Her dresses are superb.
NOTES.
Shaw's Quartette will sing at the Cadets
reunion.
Miss Mathilde Lennon, contralto, who
made such successful debut in Boston last
week, will sing the contralto role in the
Messiah, to be given in Philadelphia next
Friday evening.
.